More Money Woes For Mets, Wilpons

At least this gives me a reason to dig up this gem. (Photo via The Associated Press.)

A kid asked me to buy him cigarettes outside the 7-11 in the wee hours of the morning. I declined. He then informed me that he could give me the money. What? Was that not implied in his first inquiry?

But at least we know he had some money. That’s more than we can say about the Wilpons right now.

They say they have no financial restrictions for the Mets, but their actions since the Madoff scandal broke don’t exactly back up their assertion. They spent on Jason Bay and that’s about it. When it’s come time to cut their losses — whether it be Oliver Perez, John Maine, Luis Castillo — they’ve resisted. When it’s come time to add payroll — whether it be by trade or free-agent signing — they’ve not made the deal. When it’s come time to pay fans to come to the park — whether it be last September or this coming September — well… they haven’t done anything that ridiculous.

But any one of those actions might assure Mets fans that their team’s ownership is in financially stable hands. Instead, they have to go one vague statements and persistent rumors.

And now troubling legal news.

A lawsuit was filed Friday, suggesting Sterling Equities Associates and Mets CEO Fred Wilpon should be responsible for more than 90 percent of their employees’ retirement funds being tied up in Bernie Madoff’s unthinkable scheme.

“While defendant Wilpon has been quoted as claiming that he and his business family are ‘fine,’ his loyal employees (many of whom had previously been laid off) have lost their retirement savings,” the lawsuit said.

Sterling released a statement Friday suggesting the suit has no merit. I’m not about to argue for or against the suit, because I wouldn’t know where to begin. But I do know this is not a positive development for the franchise.

And you’d certainly prefer to have ownership worrying about the upcoming trade deadline than an upcoming legal case.

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About Steve Feitl

Steve Feitl is the regional sports editor of the Asbury Park Press, Home News Tribune, Courier News and MyCentralJersey.com.